“You get the story from them, and tell it.”
After a conference, Mr. Stevens came forward.
“It is about a nugget of gold, which is claimed by both parties.”
Robinson. “Stop! bring that nugget into court; that is the regular course.”
Great interest began to be excited, and all their necks craned forward—when Mr. Stevens took from one of the Chinese the cause of so sanguinary a disturbance, and placed it on the judge's table. A roar of laughter followed—it was between a pea and a pin's head in magnitude.
Robinson. “You know this is shocking. Asia, I am ashamed of you. Silence in the court! Proceed with the evidence.”
Mr. Stevens. “This one saw the gold shining, and he said to the other, 'Ah!'”
Robinson (writing his notes). “Said—to—the-other—'Ah!'—Stop! what was the Chinese for 'ah'?”
Stevens. “'Ah!”
Robinson. “Oh!”